Training opportunities at both predoctoral and postdoctoral levels in the field of gene therapy research abound within diverse laboratories and departments at the University of Iowa. The academic culture here has long been one of collaboration and sharing of resources and expertise. In this tradition, there are many interdisciplinary graduate programs with faculty research advisers in many academic and clinical departments of the University with relevance to gene therapy of cystic fibrosis and other genetic diseases. These programs supplement and extend the excellent individual departmental graduate programs. Out of 617 funded training programs at the University of Iowa, there are 24 NIH research training programs in the College of Medicine. Brief summaries of several pertinent programs, well as links to their web sites are provided. Researchers interested in training in a field related to gene therapy of human diseases are also invited to contact the Administrative Core of the Center for Gene Therapy, or individual center members (refer to the Center Members and Contacts section of this web site) for more information. Additional listings of training and degree programs are provided at http://www.uiowa.edu/homepage/academics/index.html 

Departmental Training Programs:

Anatomy and Cell Biology
Biochemistry
Biological Sciences
Immunology
Microbiology
Pharmacology
Physiology and Biophysics

Selected Interdisciplinary Predoctoral Programs:

 Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy Ph.D. Training Program
Students in the Anatomy and Cell Biology Graduate Program benefit from integrated training in human structural anatomy and cell biology as a foundation for careers in research concerning the molecular mechanisms of human diseases. This training program for Ph.D. scientists reflects a global approach toward understanding the human body, organ function, and disease pathophysiology, while providing the molecular training essential for the development of successful careers in research. Through such broad-based training, students develop a comprehensive view of human disease pathophysiology and molecular medicine.

Genetics Ph.D. Program
The interdepartmental Ph.D. program in genetics offers broad training in genetics with research opportunities in the laboratories of faculty members from several departments. The program is designed to permit students to tailor their curricula to their own research interests and career goals, while at the same time providing them with the opportunity to obtain a broad intellectual foundation in many areas of genetics.

Biosciences Program
The University of Iowa Biosciences Program provides entering students an outstanding opportunity for flexibility in choosing curriculum, department and area of research emphasis in molecular medicine. Faculty involved in the program, many of whom are members of the Center for Gene Therapy, are associated with diverse departments of the Medical School.

Molecular and Cell Biology Ph.D. Program
(Director: Minnetta Gardinier, Ph.D.)
The interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology at The University of Iowa provides for broad training in molecular and cell biology, and specialized courses in the area of research focus. The university-wide nature of this program provides training and research opportunities in the laboratories of all faculty members who participate in the program. Currently the program faculty represent the departments of Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Internal Medicine, Microbiology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Physiology and Biophysics, and Anatomy and Cell Biology.

Medical Scientist Training Program
(Director: Michael Knudson, Ph.D.)
The Iowa Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), a combined M.D./Ph.D. program offers a training sequence that integrates graduate study, research training, and all clinical studies required for the medical and doctorate of philosophy degrees. It provides a career pathway for those students interested in pursuing the clinical applications of basic biomedical research. Requirements for both the M.D. and Ph.D. degrees can be completed in approximate seven years.

Predoctoral Training Program in Immunology
This program trains students in basic immunology and prepares them for future careers as faculty members at universities or medical schools. The cornerstone of the training process is intensive research experience under the preceptorship of an outstanding scientist studying basic immunology.

Graduate Program in Neuroscience
(Director: Daniel Tranel, Ph.D.)
The Program promotes interaction among faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students, providing an impetus for accelerated growth in research whose aim is to understand the structure and function of the nervous system at the system, cellular and molecular levels. Research and teaching in the neurosciences at Iowa are consolidated in five principal areas: molecular, cellular, developmental, systems, and behavioral neuroscience.
Postdoctoral Programs

In addition to the programs listed below, postdoctoral training opportunities in the field of gene therapy for human diseases are available in the research laboratories of many Gene Therapy Center members. The research section of the The Center page of this web site gives brief descriptions of the research areas of Center members, and more information is available on the individual member pages in the Members section. Researchers interested in postdoctoral training in gene therapy are also invited to contact the Center Director, John Engelhardt.
Selected Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Programs:

Cardiovascular Research Fellowship Program
(Director: Francois M. Abboud, M.D.)
The emphasis is on basic research training of qualified individuals who hold an M.D., D.O., or Ph.D. degree and who are committed to an academic career. After this two year fellowship, most trainees pursue additional advanced research training. A major thrust of this Program has been training in cellular and molecular mechanisms of cardiovascular disease.

Research Training Program in Pediatric Cardiology
(Director: Larry Mahoney, M.D.)
This postdoctoral training program is designed to prepare pediatricians with an interest in cardiology for a career in research related to cardiovascular problems having their origins in the young.

Research Training in Infectious Diseases
(Director: Jack Stapleton, M.D.)

Immunology Postdoctoral Training
(Director: Robert Ashman, M.D.)
The objective of this program is to produce first rate independent investigators in the field of immunology. Trainees must hold a doctoral degree, such as an M.D. or Ph.D. The grant currently provides support for four postdoctoral trainees.